By Amy-Lynn Albertson
N.C. Cooperative Extension

Compost is available from the city of Salisbury for free on Fridays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1955 Grubb Ferry Road in Salisbury. It is pick up only call, and call 704-638-5260 for more information.

Rowan County’s heavy clay soils hold water much longer than sandy soils in eastern North Carolina. Adding compost to your soil is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve this situation. Everyone has a role to play in this process, and it starts with having a compost pile and the willingness to get started. Making compost is a fast way of imitating nature’s cycle of life and death. The composting process results in a dark, loose, partially decomposed, shapeless form of organic matter that reveals no hint of its origin. The only difference between finished compost and forest humus created by nature is time.

The actions of various microorganisms and invertebrates convert raw organic matter in a compost pile into finished compost. Organisms exposed to the appropriate balance of oxygen, moisture and nutrients can achieve maximum decomposition. Products of the composting process include finished compost, carbon dioxide, heat and water. Fallen leaves and grass clippings are nitrogen and carbon sources for the compost pile. Straw and non-woody plant trimmings are also suitable for compost. Branches and twigs bigger than ¼ inch in diameter should be shredded or chipped before being placed in the compost pile. Kitchen wastes like vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells may also be added. Sawdust can be added in moderate amounts if additional nitrogen is applied. Approximately one pound of nitrogen is required per 100 pounds of dry sawdust. Wood ashes should only be added in small quantities (no more than 1 cup per bushel or 10 pounds per ton of compost). Excess wood ash will cause a loss of nitrogen from the pile. Wood ash contributes high levels of potassium to the compost pile. Crushed clams, oyster shells, eggshells and bone meal will reduce the acidity of compost piles. Black and white newspaper prints can be added to the compost pile. However, newspapers are low in nitrogen and slow to decompose. Newspaper should only take up 10 percent of the total weight of the compost pile. Never put human or pet waste in a compost pile. In addition, you should also avoid putting meat, bones, grease, whole eggs and dairy products in it.

It is essential to have aeration, moisture and small particle sizes to get the most out of your compost pile. Turning your pile regularly will speed up the composting process and help the pile reach higher temperatures that will kill weed seeds and plant diseases. Moisture is vital for microbial activity. The pile should be moist but not soggy. The pile has the right amount of water when you can squeeze a few drops of water from a handful of compost. No water means the pile is too dry; if water gushes out, the pile is too wet. The smaller the particle size in the compost pile, the more quickly it will decompose. An easy way to reduce the size of the leaves in your pile is to mow the lawn before raking leaves or run the mower over the leaf pile. Inspect your raked piles for sticks and rocks that might damage the mower before you mow. A bagging mower works best for this situation. For more information about compost contact the Rowan County Extension Center at 704-216-8970.

Amy-Lynn Albertson is director of the Rowan County Extension.